Detachable table for the back of chairs and the like



March 31, 1942, c; M. OLIVANT 2,278,014

DETACHABLE TABLE FDR BACK OF CHAIRS AND THE LIKE Filed April 5, 1940 Patented Mar. 31, 1942 DETAGHABLE TABLE FOR THE BACK OF CHAIRS AND THE LIKE Charles M. Olivant, Bellaire, Long Island, N. Y.

Application April 5, 1940', Serial No. 327,968

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a detachable table for the backs of chairs and the like.

More specifically, the invention contemplates a detachable table which is characterized by a table board, a pair of rigid strips supporting the board, and hook members on the rigid strips for engaging the top of a chair back to support the table board horizontally.

More specifically, the invention proposes to so arrange the hooks or elements thereof to prevent lateral shifting of the table board on the chair back.

Still further the invention contemplates a construction to adapt the detachable table to various types of chair backs. A construction is proposed to fit fiat chair backs. A modification is proposed to fit curved chair backs. A further modification is proposed relating specifically td the hook members to maintain them on the chair back in a certain way.

Still further the invention contemplates an arrangement whereby the detachable table may be pivoted to various positions and so clamped.

Another object of the invention resides in adapting a music holder for detachable mounting on a chair back.

For further comprehension of the invention, and. of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a chair equipped with a detachable table constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of Fig. 1 looking from the right hand end.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary end elevational view similar to Fig 3 but illustrating a modified construction.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view similar- Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the detachable table shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of another chair provided with another detachable table constructed according to another form of the invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the detachable take illustrated in Fig, 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of Fig. 10 looking from the right hand end.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary plan view of a chair equipped with a music holder constructed ac-- cording to this invention.

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of Fig. 13 looking from the bottom of the figure upwards.

The detachable table for the backs of chairs as disclosed in Figs. 1-4 inclusive, includes a table board Ill. A pair of rigid strips H are attached to the bottom face of the board 10. Hook members l2 are arranged on the rear ends of the strips II and engage the top 13 of a chair back 13*- of a chair I3. These hooks are arranged to support the table board Ill horizontally.

The chair back 13 is straight and flat when viewed from end elevation. However, it is provided with curved top and bottom edges I3 and I3", respectively. Each hook member I2 has a fiat section l2 which extends across the flat face of a chair-back I3 These fiat sections l2 extend at a slight inclination, as disclosed in Fig. 1, so that their bottom ends are substantially radially of the curvature of the bottom edge I3. A hook proper |2 continues from the bottom of each of the straight sections 12 and extend rearwards and upwards and engages beneath the bottom edge of the top I3 of the chair back. The upper ends of each of the fiat sections I2 continue into curved sections 12 which engage over the curved edge I3.

, The curved sections I 2 are formed to conform with the curvature [3, (see Fig. l). The portions |2 continue into outwardly. extending portions [2 These latter portions I2 are secured by fastening elements M to the material of the strips II and the table board I0. At the front ends the strips H are secured to the table board I I] by additional fastening elements M. The strips II are disposed parallel to each other and parallel to the sides ofthe table top, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

In Figs. 5-7 inclusive a modified form of the invention has been'disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form in the fact that hinges l5 have been associated with the hook members 12 and the strips II for hingedly supporting the table board Ill. Each hinge [5 comprises a hinge leaf l5 secured by a fastening element [6 to a strip II and terminating in the tubular portion 15 and another hinge leaf I5 secured by a fastening element E6 to a portion l2 of the adjacent hook and terminating in a tubular portion IS. A bolt 11 passes through the tubular portions 15 and I6 A Wing nut l8 threadedly engages each bolt IT. The construction is such that when the wing nut is screwed down tight the adjacent ends of the tubular portions I5 and I6 frictionally engage each other and hold the leaves I5 and' This indirectly holds the 15 in fixed positions. table board l0 pivotally fixed, as desired.

It should be noted that the table board l0 may be pivoted downwards to various positions, as for example, the position indicated by the dot and dash lines In. If it is desired topivot the front edge of the table Ill upwards it is necessary that each hinge 15 be turned around to the position illustrated in Fig. 7. To do this it is merely necessary that the fastening elements [6 be loosened and then the hinges may pivot around through 180. They are secured in their new positions. Then the table It] may be pivoted upwards. In other respects this form of the invention is similar to the previous form.

In Figs. 8 and 9 another form of the invention is disclosed which distinguishes from the form shown in Figs. 1-4 in the construction and arrangement of the rigid strips and the hook members. In this form of the invention the detachable table includes a table board 20. A pair of rigid strips 2! are attached to the bottom face of the board 2% by fastening elements 22. At the back ends these rigid strips l2 continue into hook members 23. These'hook members are arranged so as to fit a curved seat back 24 of a chair 24. This curved seat back is clearly disclosed in Fig. 8.

It should be noted that the hook members 23 are arranged so as to extend at right angles to the points of the curvature where they engage. Each hook member 23 comprises a top portion 23 engaging over the top edge of the chair back 24* and front and rear portions 23 and 23 which engage over the front and rear faces of the chair back. The rear edge 20' of the table board 28, at its central area, engages the chair back Z t (see Fig. 8) and in conjunction with the hook members 23 holds from shifting laterally.

In Figs. 10-12 another form of the invention has been disclosed which distinguishes from the prior form chiefly in the construction of the hook portions 23'. In this form of the invention these hook portions 23' are arranged to engage a fiat and straight, though rearwardly inclined chair back 24 of a chair 24'. The front and rear portions 23 and 23 of the hook members engage the front and rear faces of the inclined chair back 24 The hook members 23 are disposed at a predetermined angle to the strips 2! so that the table board 20 is horizontal even though the chair back is inclined rea-rwardly.

In other respects this form of the invention issimilar to the previous forms.

In Figs. 13 and 14: another form of the invention is disclosed which distinguishes from the prior forms essentially in the fact that the detachable table has been constructed to simulate a music holder. Specifically, it includes a table the table board Ell board 25 having a bottom upwardly directed lip 26 and simulating a music holder proper. This board 25 is supported by a pair of rigid strips 21 which are attached to it by fastening elements 28. Each rigid strip 21 has its rear end 2'! bent downwardly and continues into hook portions 29. These hook portions 29 engage a chair back 30. The music holder may be removed from the chair back merely by pulling it upwards.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A detachable table for the backs of chairs, comprising a table board, a pair of rigid strips attached on the bottom face of said board, and hook members on the rear ends of said strips for engaging the top of a chair back to support the table board horizontally, said hook members comprising flat portions extending along the front face of the chair back and terminating at their bottom ends in hook portions extending upwards and engaging the bottom edge of the chair back, said fiat portions at their top ends continuing into portions extending over the top edge of the chair back and continuing into extending portions connecting with said strips.

2. A detachable table for the backs of chairs, comprising a table board, a pair of rigid strips attached on the bottom face of said board, hook members 0n the rear ends of said strips having portions engaging the top of said chair back and portions engaging the front and rear faces of said chair back to support the table board horizontally, and a hinge interposed between each hook member and rigid strip.

3. A detachable table for the backs of chairs, comprising a table board, a pair of rigid strips attached on the bottom face of said board, hook members on the rear ends of said strips having portions engaging the top of said chair back and portions engaging the front and rear faces of said chair back to support the table board horizontally, and a hinge interposed between each hook member and rigid strip, each hinge comprising a pair of leaves having tubular portions through which a screw and clamp nut engage.

4. A detachable table for the backs of chairs, comprising a table board, a pair of rigid strips attached on the bottom face of said board, hook members on the rear ends of said strips having portions engaging the top of said chair back and portions engaging the front and rear faces of said chair backto support the table board horizontally, and a hinge interposed between each hook member and rigid strip, each hinge comprising a pair of leaves having tubular portions through which a screw and clamp nut engage, and releasible fastening elements securing the leaves to the hook members and rigid strips in a manner so that the leaves may be directed forwards or adjusted to be directed rearwards to permit the table board to have its front end hin e upwards or downwards.

CHARLES M. oLIvANT. 

